Justification:Chaetophractus villosus is listed as Least Concern in view of its wide distribution, presumed large population, its presence in a number of protected areas, its tolerance of a degree of habitat modification, and because it is unlikely to be declining fast enough to qualify for listing in a threatened category.

Chaetophractus villosus is present in the Gran Chaco of Bolivia, Paraguay, and Argentina as far south as Santa Cruz, Argentina and Magallanes, Chile (Gardner 2005). It has been introduced in Tierra del Fuego Province, Argentina (Poljak et al. 2007,2010). It ranges from sea level up to 1,500 m Asl (Argentina).

Chaetophractus villosus is present in a wide variety of habitats, among them grasslands (including pampas and Chaco), savanna, and forest. It is also found in cultivated landscapes (Abba et al. 2005, 2007; Abba 2008).

In some parts of its range, C. villosus is locally used for food and to make charangos (musical instruments; Aguiar and Fonseca 2008). It is also persecuted as a pest species in agricultural areas, and is subjected to sport hunting. Animals may also be killed on roads and by dogs (Abba et al. 2007, Abba 2008).

Abba, A.M., Cassini, M.H. and Vizcaíno, S.F. 2007. Effects of land use on the distribution of three species of armadillos (Mammalia, Dasypodidae) in the pampas, Argentina. Journal of Mammalogy 88(2): 502-507.

Cuéllar, E. 2008. Biology and ecology of armadillos in the Bolivian Chaco. In: S.F. Vizcaíno and W.J. Loughry (eds), The Biology of the Xenarthra, pp. 306-312. University Press of Florida, Gainesville.